Four first responders were injured Monday night after they were struck by a vehicle on I-26 in Kingsport.

They were operating at a crash scene when another wreck occurred in the backup. Kingsport firefighters and Sullivan County EMS personnel immediately went to render aid.

“While emergency personnel were loading a patient into an ambulance, a vehicle traveling westbound struck three Kingsport firefighters and one Sullivan County EMS EMT, injuring all four emergency responders,” according to a statement from Kingsport Fire Chief Jerry DeBerry.

All were transported to Johnson City Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Two were released and two remained hospitalized Tuesday with non-life-threatening injuries. 

"We are extremely thankful that the injuries sustained by our firefighters and our partner from Sullivan County EMS were not more serious."

DeBerry met with reporters at the fire station to discuss the dangers of operating on a road..

“The obvious message is slow down. This is happening way too often, and it has been happening for several years. There's too many distracted drivers out there not paying attention to emergency workers, construction workers, tow truck drivers, law enforcement. It affects all of us equally, and people just need to slow down, follow the law," The Times News reported.

Sullivan County EMS Chief Kevin Marsh wrote in a statement: "We are thankful that our paramedic and the three Kingsport firefighters are expected to recover. When one of us is hurt, the whole emergency services family feels it, whatever patch we wear. We will be standing beside all four of them as they heal.

We also want to recognize the responders who stayed on that scene and kept working. In a matter of seconds, they went from caring for the public to caring for their own. They treated their injured colleagues, kept the scene safe, and helped get everyone to the hospital. What they saw and experienced that night can stay with a person long after the call is over, and we are keeping them in our thoughts as well."

Marsh also spoke of the importance for drivers to use extreme caution at crash scenes.

"Our crews work in traffic every day, and nights like this are a reminder of how quickly a call can change. When you see emergency lights, slow down, move over, and stay alert. Don't assume responders can see you or know what your vehicle is going to do. There may be people working in the roadway, patients being treated, or emergency vehicles moving around the scene. The people behind those lights are there to help someone get home safely. They deserve to get home, too."